# [[Mutalisks]] ![[Mutalisks.svg]] [[Mutalisks]] are mutant crab-like creatures created by [[Jafaki]] through his fleshwarp experiments in The Gauntlight. They are grotesque aberrations that serve as some of the failed or intermediate products of Jafaki's fleshwarping operations. ## First Encounter (Session 090) The party first encountered mutalisks on a blood-soaked level of the dungeon during [[090_20250713 Mutalisks eaten by gibtas bounders eaten by hydras]]. They found evidence of a brutal underwater conflict between the mutalisks and unseen amphibious predators. The creatures appeared to be crab-like mutants, and many of them were found dead or dying. Some corpses were discovered near a door, appearing as if they had been trying to escape whatever was attacking them. ## Recent Encounter (Session 099) During [[099_20251026 The Dwarven Irnakurse]], the party found fresh mutalisk corpses in the Irnakurse's room on Level 5 of the Gauntlight, along with other undead remains. This suggests they were being used as test subjects or resources by Jafaki and possibly fed to or processed by other fleshwarp creations like the Irnakurse. ## Role in Fleshwarp Experiments The mutalisks appear to be byproducts or test subjects of [[Jafaki]]'s fleshwarp experiments. Based on notes found in the dungeon, 70% of experimentation subjects were dwarves, but the mutalisks seem to be a separate line of experimentation focused on aquatic or crustacean creatures. ## Evolution and Intelligence (Session 103) During [[103_20251214 Tomb Jellies in the Dissection Room]], the party discovered that some mutalisks have evolved significantly. They found a group of approximately ten mutalisks in a hexagonal room that displayed remarkable changes: - **Increased Intelligence**: These mutalisks now have thoughts and are significantly more intelligent than previous encounters. One party member used thoughtsense and confirmed they "definitely have thoughts" and are "more intelligent than they were before." - **Environmental Manipulation**: The mutalisks have somehow figured out how to modify their environment, changing the room to make it more rocky. - **Behavioral Changes**: Unlike previous encounters where they were simply creatures to be fought, these mutalisks observed the party with apparent awareness, with one standing at the entrance of their room and watching the party investigate. - **Location**: Found in a hexagonal room on the level with dissection facilities, near areas with [[Thri-Kreen]] blood and alchemical smells. This evolution suggests that either [[Jafaki]]'s experiments have progressed further than anticipated, or some other force in the dungeon is continuing to modify these creatures. ### Continuing Observation During the Tomb Jelly encounter in session 103, one of the mutalisks was observed watching the party's combat from a doorway. The mutalisk appeared curious and observant, peeking into the room where the party was fighting. Notably, as it entered the room, it changed appearance: - It initially appeared as a combination of at least three other mutalisks - It had metallic qualities, reflective surfaces, and lightning sparking off it when first seen - As it moved into the room, these qualities vanished, transforming into a plain, green, stonelike appearance similar to what [[Augrael]] displays - This suggests the mutalisks may have adaptive camouflage or transformation abilities related to their environment or tactical needs ### Session 104 Updates During the continuation of the Tomb Jelly fight, [[Jaspen Bond Callistair|Bond]] used Recall Knowledge to learn more about the observing mutalisk: - **Proximity Amplification**: Mutalisks become stronger when in range of each other - **Fusion**: The mutalisk observing the party was a combination/fusion of at least three other mutalisks - **Queen Mystery**: Bond was unable to learn anything specific about a mutalisk queen despite attempting to study the visible mutalisk for clues %% # Excalidraw Data ## Text Elements ## Drawing ```json { "type": "excalidraw", "version": 2, "source": "https://github.com/zsviczian/obsidian-excalidraw-plugin/releases/tag/2.1.4", "elements": [ { "id": "7qSogdPD", "type": "text", "x": 290.3999239206314, "y": -308.87487030029297, "width": 3.8599853515625, "height": 24, "angle": 0, "strokeColor": "#1e1e1e", "backgroundColor": "transparent", "fillStyle": "solid", "strokeWidth": 2, "strokeStyle": "solid", "roughness": 1, "opacity": 100, "groupIds": [], "frameId": null, "roundness": null, "seed": 1894374050, "version": 2, "versionNonce": 2094291134, "isDeleted": true, "boundElements": null, "updated": 1713723608868, "link": null, "locked": false, "text": "", "rawText": "", "fontSize": 20, "fontFamily": 4, "textAlign": "left", "verticalAlign": "top", "containerId": null, "originalText": "", "lineHeight": 1.2 } ], "appState": { "theme": "dark", "viewBackgroundColor": "#ffffff", "currentItemStrokeColor": "#1e1e1e", "currentItemBackgroundColor": "transparent", "currentItemFillStyle": "solid", "currentItemStrokeWidth": 2, "currentItemStrokeStyle": "solid", "currentItemRoughness": 1, "currentItemOpacity": 100, "currentItemFontFamily": 4, "currentItemFontSize": 20, "currentItemTextAlign": "left", "currentItemStartArrowhead": null, "currentItemEndArrowhead": "arrow", "scrollX": 583.2388916015625, "scrollY": 573.6323852539062, "zoom": { "value": 1 }, "currentItemRoundness": "round", "gridSize": null, "gridColor": { "Bold": "#C9C9C9FF", "Regular": "#EDEDEDFF" }, "currentStrokeOptions": null, "previousGridSize": null, "frameRendering": { "enabled": true, "clip": true, "name": true, "outline": true } }, "files": {} } ``` %%